Kaitlyn Vanderkolk Notches Program's Fastest Time in a National Championship Race

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Kaitlyn Vanderkolk of Belmont University women's cross country had a phenomenal finish to her season in the NCAA Championship race on Saturday morning. 

Vanderkolk finished with a time of 20:34.7, which now stands as the fastest time ever by a Belmont runner in the national championship 6K race, topping Hannah Whitman's time of 20:45.3 in 2015.

Earning 86th overall in a field of 247 runners, Vanderkolk finished ahead of Drake's Brooke Mullins, who earned 118th.

Parker Valby of the University of Florida claimed the individual championship while NC State earned their third straight team championship.

Vanderkolk's final race of the 2023 cross country season was the culmination of a dominant junior campaign.

Looking Back on Vanderkolk's Storybook Season

-- Runner-up finish at the Belmont Opener with a 5K time of 17:46.2

-- Won the John McNichols Invitational with a personal best time of 17:10, earning Missouri Valley Co-Runner of the Week honors

-- Finished eighth overall at the Paul Short Run with a 6K time of 20:29.2, earning MVC Runner of the Week honors

-- Led the Bruins to their first MVC Cross Country Championship title, securing a runner-up finish in 20:29.8. Also earned All-Valley First Team honors with a 6K time 20:29.8 and claimed the Elite 17 Award

-- Placed 17th overall at the NCAA South Regional with a record-setting performance, shattering Whittman's 6K program record by over a minute

Follow Belmont women's cross country on social media - @BelmontXCTF on Twitter, @belmontwxc on Instagram and @BUXCTF on Facebook - for complete coverage of the Bruins. Stay up to date with all of Belmont's athletic programs via the official app of the Belmont Bruins, available both in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.

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